The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Sometimes creamy and often nutty, the Gurkha Legend Robusto (6 x 50) is a satisfying smoke with excellent physical properties. It employs a seven-year-old Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper, eight-year-old Dominican filler tobaccos, and a Cameroon binder to turn out a musty, woody profile. While enjoyable, it  doesn’t have the complexity to back up its price tag, which hovers around $9.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

The maduro wrapper on this recently introduced smoke uses a special fermentation process that Alan Rubin says creates the sweetness with shorter fermentation time (and thus fuller body) than a traditional maduro. The  dark chocolate-colored torpedo vitola (6.1 x 52) is constructed well and notably firm. It features an interesting combination of flavors: cocoa, licorice, black pepper, and a slight chalkiness. The combination makes for a complex and unique smoke that is definitely worth a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

I received this Room 101 Conjura “Harsh! LTD” at the Twitter Brothers of the Leaf event held during the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. The slightly veiny rosado wrapper isn’t much to look at, but the box-pressed smoke is highly aromatic with strong barnyard notes. Once lit, the Conjura reveals a spicy blend with cinnamon and a creamy core. Meaty flavors are also prevalent, especially in the second half. This is a full-bodied smoke, but not with the knock-your-socks-off strength I thought I might be in for.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This small figurado (4.6 x 49) from La Gloria Cubana packs a lot of flavor into a short format. Although starting with an unpleasant ammonia-like taste, the Connecticut broadleaf-wrapped blend quickly transitions into flavors of dry cocoa and pepper spice. And the combustion qualities are a pleasure to observe as they unfold. This is an easy recommendation for only $4-6 apiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This Torpedo (6.5 x 55) features a dark sun grown Ecuadorian wrapper. Originally introduced in 1999, the Virgin Sun Grown, made by Fuente, is considered by many to be Ashton’s finest smoke. The well-constructed cigar features a complex combination of cocoa, pepper, earth, and roasted nuts. It’s a full-bodied and well-balanced, with flavors focused on the palate by the torpedo head. Construction is excellent, as I’ve come to expect from cigars made by Tabaclera A. Fuente y Cia.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

After seeing my colleagues rave about the Gran Toro and Gran Corona versions of the new Guillermo León, I decided to try a Belicoso (6.25 x 52) for myself. I’m glad I did. This Ecuadorian-wrapped smoke boasts superb construction and a harmonious profile of milk chocolate, spice, earth, and syrup. It has a rare combination of body and balance, a testament to the intricacy of its recipe, which includes dual binders—one corojo and one Cameroon—and a four-country filler blend. Definitely one of the top new releases of 2010.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Launched in June, this new Dominican puro by Augusto Reyes features a nearly flawless light brown wrapper. The cigar starts an initial burst of unpleasant leathery bitterness. Fortunately, after a few minutes, it settles into a more balanced combination of cream and wood. Also evident are hints of leather and roasted peanut. Construction is excellent, particularly the draw, which has just the right amount of resistance. This medium-bodied smoke shows some potential, but I’m disappointed with the bitterness, both out of the gate and occasionally after.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys